Ctg Abahani, MSC through to quarters

Chittagong Abahani players celebrate one of their two goals against Arambagh Krira Sangha during their Federation Cup match at the BNS on Thursday. — New Age photo

Chittagong Abahani became the champion of Group C and confirmed their quarter-final berth of Federation Cup as they beat Arambagh Krira Sangha by 2-1 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Thursday.The result also meant that Arambagh were eliminated from the group stage and Mohammedan went to the quarterfinals as the group runners-up. Nigerian attacking duo Afeez Oladipo and Alison Udoka scored apiece to keep the port city outfit’s winning record intact while Arambagh’s Cameroonian midfielder Jean Jules Ikanga pulled one goal back.Right winger Zahid Hossain was the initiator of victors first goal in the 33rd minute when his carling corner found Alison who headed down the ball to Oladipo before the Nigerian marksman send the ball home.Arambagh posted some brilliant effort after conceding the goal and took only three minutes to level the thing.Finding a ball from counter attack, Ikanga ran past two defenders before breaking the penalty area and dodged past advancing goalkeeper before placing the ball into the left corner of the net.Ikanga wasted a great chance to give Arambagh the lead in the 43rd minute when he beat his marker before taking a volley that went straight to the Chittagong Abahani keeper.Zahid also failed to restore Chittagong Abahani’s lead in the injury time of the first half when his nice effort was bounced back after hitting the body of Arambagh keeper.Chittagong Abahani took the control of the game again in the 62nd minute when Kowshik Barua’s header following a Zahid corner was blocked by Arambagh keeper Akkas Sheikh but Alison was there to send the rebounder home.